VietNamNet reported that on February 24 the HCM City Police issued a warrant for arrest and filed charges against Dang Anh Quan, PhD, lecturer at the HCM City University of Law for "taking advantage of democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State, the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and individuals".

Quan is well known as a legal counselor to Nguyen Phuong Hang, a businesswoman who became well-known after criticizing many celebrities on livestream Facebook videos. The woman was arrested in March 2022 on the charge of "abusing democratic freedoms".

Before the arrest, Nguyen Phuong Hang, 51, was general director of the Dai Nam Joint Stock Company in southern Binh Duong Province, famous for her assets and diamond collections.

According to HCM City Police, Quan was a guest on 11 livestreams organized by Hang from October 2021 to March 2022.

HCM City Police also issued a warrant for arrest and filed charges against Tran Van Sy, former chair of the Vinh Long Province Bar Association, on the same charge. 

Prior to that, Hang had lodged a petition to the HCM City Police and Ministry of Public Security, asking them to handle many individuals, including Sy.

Regarding the Nguyen Phuong Hang case, HCM City Police also filed charges against Dang Thi Han Ni, a journalist, on the charge of "abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State, lawful rights and interests of organizations and/or citizens" as per Article 331 of the Penal Code.

Lawyer Cuong told VietNamNet that the ‘battle of words’ on social networks of influencers has caused social insecurity.

The fact that the investigation agency decided to prosecute some people for abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State, the legitimate rights and interests of individuals and organizations is a necessity to ensure security, network safety, and protection of democratic freedom of citizens.

Cuong added that the Vietnamese constitution and laws recognize, respect, ensure and protect democratic freedom of all citizens, including the freedom of speech, the right to be protected in honor, dignity, prestige, and personal images.

The law strictly prohibits abuse of democratic freedom to insult the dignity of others, infringe on state secrets, personal private secrets or illegal use of information and images of others.

The above-mentioned cases are the lessons for those who dignify the laws.

T. Nhung